Paris fight back for last-gasp win!

Match reports

Thursday, Paris Saint-Germain Handball won at the Gigantium in Aalborg (30-32) after an epic battle. We take a look back at the EHF Champions League Matchday 10 clash.

Les Rouge et Bleu returned to the EHF Champions League on Thursday with a perilous trip to Aalborg in Denmark. Sixth at throw-off, three points behind their opponents on the night, Les Rouge et Bleu were keen to get back to winning ways for their final European fixture of 2023.

Despite the partisan home crowd, Raul Gonzalez's men got off to a good start. Right from the off, Jannick Green won a duel with Mikkel Hansen from the penalty line, before making two more saves to give his side a comfortable lead in the opening minutes (4': 0-3). However, the Danes took advantage of a slackening in the Parisian rearguard to score five unanswered goals and take the lead for the first time in the match (12': 8-6). At the end of a fast-paced first quarter, Les Rouge et Bleu were still trailing by a narrow margin (15': 9-8).

As half-time approached, the hosts, still ahead on the scoreboard, decided to call the first time-out of the match (24': 12-11). This stoppage in play also allowed Raul Gonzalez to give his instructions, and Les Rouge et Bleu immediately levelled it up (25': 12-12). The capital club came close to re-taking the lead, but came up against the imperious Niklas Landin, who made his seventh save of the match. A final save from Jannick sent the two teams into the dressing room neck and neck at the end of a thrilling first half (30': 15-15).

Les Rouge et Bleu started the second half as they had finished the first, and duly regained the lead (33': 16-17). However, Aalborg took advantage of a numerical superiority to get their noses back in front, promising a thrilling second half (38': 20-18). The Danish advantage was short-lived, however, as Parisian captain Luka equalised before Elohim put his side back in front as the final quarter approached (43': 21-22). The Parisians attacked relentlessly in the second half, but kept coming up against an impassable Niklas Landin (13 saves). At the same time, the Danes showed some serious sang froid in front of goal, capitalising on every mistake the capital club made (50': 27-24).

Raul Gonzalez therefore decided to call another time-out, with money time just around the corner. Switching to a seven-man attack, the capital club hit three quick unanswered goals, completely revitalising the end of the match and forcing Aalborg coach Stefan Madsen to stop play (54': 28-27). This was another opportunity for Raul to give new instructions - and they paid off immediately. Paris pushed forward and continued their run, scoring a seventh consecutive goal thanks to a super-powerful effort from Elohim (58': 28-31). Serious and diligent in a masterfully controlled final phase, Les Rouge et Bleu clinched a capital victory over Aalborg (60': 30-32). Raul Gonzalez's men thus ended their European jousts for 2023 in the best possible way, one point behind their second place. Next up for the Parisians, on 14 February 2024, is a trip to Northern Macedonia to take on Pelister.

REACTIONS FROM RAUL GONZALEZ, JANNCIK GREEN AND KAMIL SYPRZAK:

(Credits: L. Valroff/Team Pics/PSG)